A Load of Hope After a Delicate Cycle
By Tracy Rolling

Field Manager Patrick Casey and Assistant Manager Chris Shields stand in front of the busy machines that are bringing a clean start to Ramonians. Photos by Tracy Rolling

Fresh, free and fantastic were some of the comments made about Procter and Gamble's mobile Laundromat stationed at Highway 78 and Ash Street in Ramona last month.

The Tide "CleanStart" full service mobile laundry was available to families affected by the Witch Creek fire and was utilized by hundreds of Ramona residents in an effort to bring a load of hope.

The big rig drove into town on Friday, Nov. 2 and was connected to a massive generator and linked to a fire hydrant for water.

Assistant manager Chris Shields of Gigunda Group (a marketing firm that specializes in creative branding) said it took about two days before it was operational. Soon after, the 28 high-efficiency washers and dryers sprang into action.

The facility was staffed by 10 local, temporary employees and Shields estimates they were able to do 175 loads a day. Residents simply filled out a claim tag, dropped off their laundry between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., returning the next day to find their clothes washed, dried and folded - all for free.

A sign brings encouragement to the community.

There was a two load limit per family, per day, and not all items were permissible such as shoes, bedding and rugs.

"We chose this location because it was the first hit. Mountain View Community Church has been a wonderful host and everyone is very thankful for the laundering service, especially those who were without water and electricity," Sheilds said.

Field manager Patrick Casey, also of Gigunda Group, said that cleaning up after a disaster is never easy but that clean clothes give dignity and bring hope to the community. Shields adds, "It's another step towards recovery."

The mobile unit was launched after Hurricane Katrina in an effort to provide clean clothes to families who were devastated by the disaster. It has been deployed to New Orleans four times. CleanStart was in Ramona for four weeks.

bags of clean clothes await their owners.

For more information please visit www.tide.com.